Grand Junction Official Visitor Guide - Grand Junction Adventure Guide
HAPPY TRAILS
2022-03-09 12:47:15
Trails of every kind weave through Grand Junction and its vast public lands, creating a giant pretzel of interconnected loops where one wild experience and spectacular view always leads to another. Pick your perfect trail with our handy guide, whether you prefer hiking, biking or horseback riding.
Follow the Locals
“From a paleo perspective, the neatest thing to do is to hike the Trail Through Time, which is located right off of Interstate 70 at Mile Marker 2. This 1-mile loop trail allows visitors to see actual dinosaur bones still in place. In the summer, you can also catch volunteers from the Museum of Western Colorado excavating fossil finds at the nearby Mygatt-Moore Quarry.”
— Greg Gnesios, first manager of McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area
IF YOU’RE SEEKING … OUT-OF-THIS-WORLD VIEWS ON FOOT
Escalante Canyon Petroglyphs, Dominguez- Escalante National Conservation Area
In less than 1 mile, you’ll walk back in time — 600 million years, that is. This rugged canyon contains important geological, cultural and historical relics such as Native American petroglyphs, some depicting the bighorn sheep that frequent the area.
Lost Lake Trail on the Grand Mesa
There are over 300 lakes on the Grand Mesa, but few match the dream-like beauty of Lost Lake — a ribbon of clear, glacial water surrounded by basalt boulders, accessed via a pleasant, 2-mile out-and-back hike.
Rattlesnake Arches Trail at McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area
You don’t need to leave Colorado to see natural red-rock arches, as Rattlesnake Arches Trail provides the second-largest concentration of arches in the world. This 15-mile round-trip hike will get your heart pumping. It’s mostly unshaded, so come prepared with plenty of water and sun protection.
IF YOU’RE SEEKING … DOWNHILL THRILLS
Tabeguache Trail
You could bike all the way from Grand Junction to Montrose on the 142-mile Tabeguache Trail, but some of the best technical mountain biking in Colorado can be found right by the trailhead — namely, the famed Lunch Loops trail system.
Kokopelli Trail at McInnis
Canyons National Conservation Area The many scenic and challenging loops at Kokopelli Trail draw riders from around the state, especially Mack Ridge — a ride along a rocky ridgeline high above the Colorado River.
Powderhorn Mountain Resort Bike Park
As ski season closes, the spring snowmelt reveals multiple professionally crafted downhill trails that dip, wind and flow with Powderhorn Mountain’s natural terrain. A lift drops you at the top, then it’s up to you to navigate the tree roots, rocky obstacles and 1,650 feet of exhilarating elevation drop.
Three Sisters Park
Adjacent to the Tabeguache/ Lunch Loops trails and minutes from Downtown Grand Junction, this latest addition to the mountain-biking scene offers multi-use trails with terrain gentle enough for beginners and families.
Palisade Plunge
Downhill fans, rejoice! The U.S. Forest Service recently opened this epic, 32-mile single-track trail that descends 6,000 feet from the top of the Grand Mesa all the way to the high-desert floor. Read more about this thrilling new trail on page 30.
IF YOU’RE SEEKING … RIDES FOR YOUR EQUINE COMPANION
Little Book Cliffs Wild Horse Range
Just 8 miles from Grand Junction, you can clip-clop through the rocky, rugged terrain of this Bureau of Land Management’s 36,000-acre area, and spot majestic wild mustangs — descendants of those brought here by Spanish settlers and one of only a few wild horse sanctuaries left in the country.
McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area
You’ll feel just like a cowboy or cowgirl on Devil’s Canyon trail, which moseys through red-rock canyons, hoodoos and pink-striped entrada sandstone cliffs.
Horseback Tours
Rimrock Adventures offers guided rides through Colorado’s canyonlands, while Palisade Ranch provides trail rides and customized tours on more than 500 acres.
IF YOU’RE SEEKING … OFF-ROAD ACTION
Grand Junction OHV Area
Kick up some dust at this sprawling desert wilderness just north of town, featuring single- and double-track trails, thrilling hill climbs and ridge rides that will take your breath away.
Bangs Canyon Management Area
Stunning plateaus and high-desert canyons make way for wide-open views of Grand Junction and the Grand Mesa at this OHV haven, which is home to numerous ATV trails, thrilling dirtbike single-track and the Billings Canyon 4x4 trail.
Grand Mesa & Uncompahgre National Forests
Explore more than 50 designated OHV trails in a range of high-mountain landscapes, from glorious aspen stands to barren slopes that feel like you are on top of the world. Check out page 30 for more OHV dirt
IF YOU’RE SEEKING … SCENIC CRUISES FOR ROAD BIKING
Rim Rock Drive in Colorado National Monument
You’ll see every spire, turret and sweeping red-rock canyon of Colorado National Monument on this iconic ride, spanning 23 miles from end to end. Learn more about the Monument on page 10.
Colorado Riverfront Trail System
A breezy way to explore the area, Grand Junction is the hub of this 24.5-mile paved river trail system where you’ll pass by parks, lakes, wildlife areas, botanical gardens and even a handy bike-repair station.
Fruit & Wine Byway
Pedal your way or get some assistance with an eBike from Rapid Creek Cycles through Palisade’s famous vineyards, fruit orchards and lavender fields on one of the prettiest road-biking corridors in the country, with three routes ranging from 5 to 25 miles.
Fall-Foliage Hotspots
Color your world with these fall-friendly activities.
1 HIKE GRAND MESA
The aspens are so vivid on the world’s largest flat-top mountain that Powderhorn Mountain Resort even hosts a Color Weekend.
2 CELEBRATE ART IN DOWNTOWN GRAND JUNCTION
Peruse Main Street to see artists’ interpretation of the area, and take a little of Grand Junction home with you at the Downtown Art Festival.
3 CRUISE RIM ROCK DRIVE
In Colorado National Monument, you’ll discover more shades of red and gold than you knew existed.
4 BIKE THE TOUR DE VINEYARDS
Soak up fall color and an occasional glass of Colorado vintage. Conveniently, Colorado Mountain Winefest is held the same weekend.
Did You Know?
Over 100 wild horses roam freely at Little Book Cliffs Wild Horse Area. Other creatures to keep your eyes peeled for in the vicinity include golden and bald eagles, red-tail hawks, mule deer, elk and bighorn sheep.
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HAPPY TRAILS
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